The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made a number of defensive changes ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Edmonton Elks.
Global defender Les Maruo will start at weak-side linebacker in place of Malik Clements, who has been added to the six-game injured list with a hip issue. Canadian defensive back Redha Kramdi will start at strong-side linebacker after returning from a hip injury that held him out of the last three games.
Rookie defensive end Celestin Haba has been moved to the six-game injured list due to a hamstring issue, leaving first-round 2023 CFL Draft pick Anthony Bennett as the only backup defensive end on the roster. Haba made one sack in each of his first three career games but fell relatively quiet once Jackson Jeffcoat returned from injury.
Veteran defenders Kyrie Wilson and Winston Rose have been placed on the one-game injured list after completing stints on the six-game injured list. Both were full participants in practice this past week.
Kenny Lawler will make his season debut after missing the first six games of the year due to an immigration issue that arose after he pled guilty to impaired driving. He will start at boundary wide receiver, which has moved Rasheed Bailey inside to slotback. Greg McCrae is now listed as a backup, while Carlton Agudosi has been moved to the practice roster.
Defensive back Jamal Parker has returned from an ankle injury that held him out of the first six games of the season, though he will not start on Thursday. Instead, he will serve as the club’s punt returner with Janarion Grant still out of the lineup.
The Blue Bombers (4-2) will host Edmonton (0-6) on Thursday, July 20 with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. EDT. This will mark the first of three meetings between the teams this season.
